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Carys Brown – A Personal Tribute

Carys Brown – A Personal Tribute

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We are sorry to announce that our dear friend Carys Brown passed away on 5th August following a recent diagnosis of MND. Carys was a dedicated Soroptimist and much loved member of SI Bridgend and Immediate Past President Sharon Dixon echoes all our thoughts as she pays this personal tribute to Carys. As many of you know Carys Brown was a true Soroptimist – an ambassador who was always willing to go the extra mile. When Carys became a Soroptimist in 2000 who would have thought that she’d go on to such great things in the name of Soroptimism. She was definitely a leading light and a force to be reckoned with. She was SI Bridgend club President in 2005-6. She became the Regional President for Wales South from 2010 to 2011. Again I’ve heard great things about her Regional Presidency.  Carys has also held

A Day Out…at last!

A Day Out…at last!

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Thirty Bridgend Soroptimists were delighted to eb able to enjoy a summer outing at last. On 28th July, members visited Llantrisant Guild Hall and Museum with local historian and author Dean Powell. Dean is well known for his journalistic experience and was able to bring the history of Llantrisant to life. Afterwards they enjoyed a delicious, socially-distanced tea in the local Church Hall. This occasion was the first time Club members have been able to meet up face-to-face, having met throughout the pandemic on Zoom.

Empowering Girls in Nepal

Empowering Girls in Nepal

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We were delighted to welcome Philip Holmes from Pipal Tree as our guest speaker this evening. Philip joined us on Zoom on Day 8 of his trek along Offa’s Dyke, a personal fundraiser for his charity. Philip commented that this had perhaps been the toughest day so far, but had the compensation of tremendous views. Philip began by thanking members of SI Bridgend for our continuing support and loyalty to the project. He explained the reasons behind the change of name for the charity (from ChoraChori to Pipal Tree) by saying that charities evolve with circumstances and Pipal Tree is more reflective of the diversified activity of the charity. Recent circumstances ie Brexit, Covid etc. have made it a VERY competitive landscape for charity funding and it is essential to be flexible and topical in what you do. Pipal Tree is working closely with two

Focusing on personal well-being

Focusing on personal well-being

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Looking after our mental wellbeing is very important, and never more so that over this last period when coronavirus restrictions have curtailed so many activities, as well as the ability to meet up and connect with others. With President Sharon Dixon at the helm, Bridgend Soroptimists took things into their own hands and started their very own Soroptimist Super Saturdays. Members were invited to meet on zoom on a Saturday morning for 90 minutes of gentle exercise, a few minutes of mindfulness and an open and honest chat over a cuppa about how we are all coping with lockdown! The focus was all on personal wellbeing and taking a little time for ourselves. Since that first week in January, between 10 and 14 members have met every Saturday morning on zoom and have welcomed guests from other clubs too. On 10th July the group were finally

Supporting Mental Health

Supporting Mental Health

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A letter of thanks has been received from Mental Health Matters Wales for the generous donation of £1500. The monies were raised during President Sharon’s period as Club President. Sharon explains, “The theme for my period as President of SI Bridgend was Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing and I am delighted that we have been able to support local services with this donation. Our donation is to be used to provide support for older people who are struggling with their mental health.”

Remarkable women – Petticoats of Power

Remarkable women – Petticoats of Power

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Members of Bridgend Soroptimists have continued to meet throughout the pandemic, albeit virtually. At the end of June, we were delighted to welcome Heddwen Cadwallader as our guest speaker. Heddwen is no stranger to Soroptimists – as the daughter of one of our members, Cherry, she has fond memories of, as a youngster, serving coffee at committee meetings when Cherry was Club President. Heddwen is now National Trust Collections and House Manager (Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion portfolio) based a Llanerchaeron in West Wales. Together with colleagues, she developed an exhibition called “Petticoats of Power” – a celebration of the women who have shaped the Llanerchaeron estate over the years. As she explained, “For generations, women played a critical part in the social and cultural life of Wales’ landed estates. Through their familial roles and networks, and as landowners in their own right, heiresses, cultural patrons, domestic

Staying Connected – A Welcome Afternoon Tea

Staying Connected – A Welcome Afternoon Tea

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It has been a long 16 months since Bridgend Soroptimists hosted a ReEngage afternoon tea, but at last, we were able to welcome our lovely ladies. It was a wonderful afternoon catching up with the ladies we’ve hosted teas for over many years. All live alone and they were happy to come along and see familiar faces and chat and share experiences. Thank you to our hostess Joyce – such a beautiful garden. Thanks also to our club members who picked up, drove, baked cakes and made coffees. A great team effort. Staying connected. Well done SI Bridgend

Bridgend Soroptimists Celebrate Long Service Awards

Bridgend Soroptimists Celebrate Long Service Awards

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President Sharon was very pleased to present the following long service certificates to members of Soroptimist International Bridgend. 25 years                        Eileen Bayley 25 years                        Christine Phillips 30 years                        Jean Davies 30 years                        Helen Murdoch 35 years                        Joyce Chatterton 35 years                        Ann Hughes 35 years                        Lily Laesser 35 years                        Anne Morgan 35 years                        Frances Rees 35 years                        Jean Thomas 40 years                        Felicity Ladbroke 45 years                        Lynda Edwards 45 years                        Jean Roderick 45 years                        Shan Walsh 50 years                        Eurwen Richards President Sharon thanked all the ladies for the service they had given to the club – between the 15 ladies, they have accrued a phenomenal 545 years service to the community!. They all commented that they had been involved in many interesting projects, made wonderful friends and had lots of fun. They all agreed that they couldn’t believe where all the time had gone! Eurwen received a

A New President for Bridgend Soroptimists

A New President for Bridgend Soroptimists

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Bridgend Soroptimists held a virtual AGM last night and welcomed their new President, Gaynor Hoare. Outgoing president Sharon Dixon expressed her thanks to members for their support and efforts throughout her two years as President of the Club. She said that although it had been the most difficult of circumstances, Club members had pulled together and thrived over that time. Our last face-to-face meeting had been in March 2020 and by the beginning of April we were already dipping our toes in the electronic world and started meeting via Zoom. Sharon was delighted to say that the Club had met every two weeks since April 2020, with a range of speakers, discussion sessions and interactive meetings. We had shared fun and friendship with virtual morning coffee, afternoon tea and cakes, and the occasional gin! Several members had also joined in a Saturday morning Well-being session.